Statement: People Make the Difference
The chemical distribution outlook report by Boston Consulting Group, outlined on the previous pages, presents six key findings that capture the strategic pressures and capability shifts transforming the chemical disgtribution landscape, setting the stage for four imperatives that will help distributors to win amid uncertainty. Madjar Navah, one of the authors of the report, introduced the most significant results of the study at the FECC Annual Meeting in Hamburg, Germany, in mid-September. Among the audience were executives of the largest chemical distribution companies, some of which we asked to share their opinions on the report’s conclusions with us.
BCG’s findings certainly resonate with what we see as intensifying demands from both customers and suppliers create opportunities for those distributors that adapt quickly and add real value for our partners.
At IMCD, we see the current volatile macro-economic environment as an opportunity to focus on and further strengthen our commercial and operational capabilities. That means ensuring that our supply chains are both flexible and transparent, further advancing our digital capabilities, and collaborating closely with both suppliers and customers to anticipate, not just react to, change.
As our industry continues to consolidate, scale and technology are powerful advantages, but what truly makes the difference is people. Investing in talent, transferring expertise, and creating a culture of learning and adaptability are essential if we want to keep pace with AI, new regulations, and evolving market needs.
Technical and formulation expertise remain at the heart of what we do. Our 80+ laboratories worldwide help partners accelerate innovation, improve performance, and translate ideas into market-ready solutions.
Sustainability continues to drive value creation. Through our broad portfolio and close work with suppliers, we support customers in reformulating products that perform better and meet rising regulatory and environmental expectations. And until the industry has standardized ways to measure carbon data, collaboration along the value chain is critical.
In short, distributors have evolved from being operational middlemen to being true partners in innovation and growth. Efficient service and strong execution are what earn long-term trust. In the end, reliability is key.
For us, that means being the partner of choice, combining commercial excellence with technical expertise, digital capability, and sustainable ambition. That’s how distributors will win in uncertainty, by doing more of what they do best: solving problems, connecting people, and creating opportunities.
“Scale and technology are powerful advantages as our industry continues to consolidate.”
CEO, IMCD
